Darling Downs eager to reclaim South Queensland title

DARLING Downs will be desperate to return some silverware to its bare cabinet when it looks to reclaim the South Queensland Championship title this weekend.

The Downs is looking for a return to winning form in the triangular tournament at Noosa where it meets Gold Coast on Saturday night and Sunshine Coast on Sunday afternoon.

Downs claimed the championship for the first time in 12 years with wins over both teams at Gold Park in 2015 before surrendering the trophy at the Gold Coast last year.

Worse was to come in this year's season-opening matches where they were narrowly beaten by Central Northern New South Wales and Central Queensland for the Border and Cattleman's cups.

Darling Downs takes a full-strength 23-player squad to Noosa with selectors and head coach Nathan Bradley pinning their faith in the majority of players who embarked on an unbeaten tour of Japan in February.

Bradley said the squad has taken on a new look since last season with the selection emphasis on combinations.

"Everyone came through last weekend's matches okay so we have everyone on deck” Bradley said.

"We think we've picked a squad to win it.

"We've done our homework and built a plan around that.

"There are players in the competition probably unlucky not to make the squad.

"But we've based our selections on combinations we think will work best for us.

"Our back tight-five will probably be made up of Goondiwindi players who train and play together.

"We'll have a young starting front row with experienced players on the bench and I believe we'll have no passengers.”

DARLING Downs Colts will be looking to retain their South Queensland title when they also line up at Noosa against the Sunshine and Gold coasts.